SCRANTON — The smiles on the students’ faces shined as bright as the new sneakers on their feet Wednesday morning at McNichols Educational Plaza in South Side.
A group of volunteers from the TJX Corp. — through a partnership with Operation Warm, a nonprofit that manufactures new coats and shoes for children in need — outfitted the kids with the shoes and helped them determine their correct size. In addition to the new pair of kicks, each of the 333 students received two new pairs of socks.
Mina Ardestani, Ed.D., principal of McNichols Educational Plaza, believes the giveaway occurred at the perfect time.
“This will kick them off into summer with fresh shoes,” she said.
A volunteer from the TJX Corporation helps kindergarten student Myra Gurung put her shoes in a bag so she can be fitted for a new pair in the gymnasium of McNichols Plaza Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Volunteers from the TJX Corporation help kindergarten students put their shoes in bags so they can be fitted for new ones in the gymnasium of McNichols Plaza Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Kindergarten students wait to be fitted for new shoes at the McNichols Plaza Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Jaxon Peguero, a student at McNichols Educational Plaza, thanks volunteers from TJX Corporation and Operation Warm for providing new sneakers on Wednesday morning. (Courtesy Mina Ardestani, Ed.D)
Students show off their new sneakers at McNichols Educational Plaza on Wednesday. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Mina Ardestani, Ed.D, principal of McNichols Educational Plaza, addresses students before they received new sneakers from Operation Warm on Wednesday morning. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Ardestani stressed the importance of developing well-rounded students at McNichols who understand the value in giving and receiving.
“We take pride in being a school community,” she said. “People care about our students and our school, and are constantly giving back to us. In return, our students learn about altruism and gratitude. Over the course of the year, our students also participate in giving events. We do a Pajama Day to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, we did a canned food drive for a local food pantry and, most recently, a student of ours was in a car accident and we’re doing spirit shirts to raise money for her and her family. They know what it is to receive and they also know what it is to give. May is filled with excitement in schools, but this just adds an extra piece to the puzzle of joy.”
Before the kids received their new sneakers, several shared heartfelt messages of appreciation for the gift and fourth grade students performed a rendition of “Eye of the Tiger” for the volunteers.
Ardestani also expressed sincere thanks to officials from Operation Warm and the volunteers from the TJX Corp.
“Events like this remind us and our students, especially, that there are good people in the world who care about them and want to give back, and help them succeed,” she said. “Thank you for bringing not just shoes and socks, but also joy, confidence and a sense of community to our school. Your generosity will be remembered with every step they take.”